Day: July 9, 2013

IMPHAL, July 9 MNS : A one day public consultation on Tipaimukh dam and forest clearance jointly organized by citizens’ concern for dams and development, committee on land and natural resources, committee on the protection of natural resources in Manipur and North east dialogue forum was held today at Manipur Press Club, Major Khul.
The Committee on Land and Natural Resources, Citizens Concern for Dams and Development, Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur, North East Dialogue Forum an Action Committee Against Tipaimukh Dam co-organized a public consultation on “Tipaimukh Dam and Forest Clearance” at the Manipur Press Club on 9 July 2013 . The consultation is being organized to review the aggressive push by both the Government of Manipur and Government of India to accord “Forest Clearance” for the proposed 1500 MW Tipaimukh Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project.
Dr. Immanuel Varte, Deputy Director of Centre for Research Organization and Education, Dr. RK Ranjan, Chairperson, Citizens Concern for Dams and Development, Mr. Stephen, ex-chairperson of Zeliangrong Students Union Manipur, Joseph Hmar, Secy, Citizens Concern for Dams and Development and U. Nobokishore, Secy, North East Dialogue Forum deliberated the meet as resource persons.
The participants affirmed that the forest, land, rivers and other natural resources of Manipur are crucial for the sustenance of endemic flora and fauna and the survival of several indigenous communities.
It expressed concern that the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) is meeting on 11-12 July 2013 to consider the proposed 1500 MW Tipaimukh Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project for “Forest Clearance”
The FAC of MoEF is relying for reports of a one day aerial survey of officials of Government of India, and also the request from the Government of Manipur and the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation, all of which recommended for felling 7.8 million trees and 27,000 bamboo in Manipur without proper and comprehensive impact assessment due to proposed Tipaimukh dam construction.
Ministry of Environment and Forest of the Government of India conceded “Environment Clearance” in October 2008 for the proposed Tipaimukh Dam project despite peoples’ objections in all the five public hearings held from the year 2004 till 2008.
An MoU was signed with the Government of Manipur, the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL) on 28th April 2010, reaffirmed on 22nd October 2011, without obtaining the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) of all affected communities in Manipur, Mizoram and Assam.
Remind of the recommendations of the UN Committee on the Elimination of All forms of Racial Discrimination in 2011 on Tipaimukh Dam not to construct the dam without the free prior and informed consent of all affected indigenous peoples.
The participants further resolved thatthe Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), Government of India should desist from granting Environment Clearance for the proposed Tipaimukh Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project as this would amount to clear cut violation of the rights of indigenous peoples in Manipur.
The FAC of the MoEF should also take cognizance that all Indigenous Peoples of Manipur have full rights over their lands and resources, as also recognized by the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007. The FAC of the MoEF should refrain from making recommendations for Compensatory Afforestation as Manipur is such a small State with huge pressure on land and forest already and the forest to be submerged by Tipaimukh HEP is so huge that it is irrational to compensate similar areas in other parts of Manipur with afforestation.
Manipur cannot afford to sacrifice its forest and to fell 7.8 million trees and 27,000 bamboo groves in Manipur for a mega project which will wrought widespread havoc on environment and sufferings on peoples’ lives and future.
The MoEF should recommend revoking the MoU signed on Tipaimukh Dam by the Government of Manipur with Government of Manipur, National Hydroelectric Project and Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited on 28 April 2010, reaffirmed on 22 October 2011.
The Government of India should ensure that the proposed 1500 MW Tipaimukh HEP is not constructed without the Free, Prior and Informed Consent of indigenous peoples. The MoEF should revoke the Environment Clearance Granted for Tipaimukh Dam in October 2008 based on the
stern objections by the affected communities in all the five public hearings from 2004 till 2008.
The MoEF should recommend that the proposed Tipaimukh dam should adhere to the recommendations of the World Commission on Dams, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples, 2007 and the recommendations from the UN CERD Committee on Tipaimukh Dam in 2011

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/consultation-on-tipaimukh-dam-against-misuses-of-environment/

IMPHAL, July 9 MNS NNN : New office-bearers of the All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (AMUCO) took oath on Tuesday.
They were elected after AMUCO held its general conference for two days at Manipur Dramatic Union (MDU) hall here. Their tenure in office will end after three years.
Dr Y Manikhuman was chosen as the new president of the body, MC Modhuchandra as general secretary. The advisory board consists of the outgoing AMUCO president KT Rahman and Yangsosong Koireng.
Ph Devan, K Helen and W Gonendro were elected as joint vice-presidents. Other newly elected office-bearers were T Gandhi, organization secretary, S Jameskumar, publicity secretary and N Shyamsundar, finance secretary.
Four persons—W Naobi, L Thoithoi, Ph Azamankhan and Mangboi Gangte—were appointed joint assistant organization secretaries.
Ch Manikanta and Kh Khogen were elected joint assistant publicity secretaries while Y Ranbir and Md Yakup as joint finance secretaries.
LC Munindro, L Rojit, Th Chaoba and Ahong Kamei were chosen as officer secretary and executive members respectively.
The oath taking ceremony was administered by advocates Ch Dhananjoy, K Khogendra and K Joychandra.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/amuco-office-bearers-elected/

Imphal Jul 9 MNS UNA : Prime accused in the murder of cousin brother of sitting
Congress MLA DK Korungthang has been arrested by a team of Tengnoupal police of Chandel district.
Md Manif alias Ibothem (35), son of late Md Yakip Ali of Sora Maning Leikai of Thoubal district who has been arrested by the police yesterday was produced to the chief judicial magistrate (CJM) Chandel today morning and took remand for seven days in the police custody.
The cousin of the sitting MLA, DK James (60) was found murder at place between T Minou and Khangsim village of Chandel district in the morning of July 3 with multiple cut injury marks.
Family has been claiming that his money bag, mobile phone and identity card were found missing.
Police source said the accused was arrested after tracking the mobile phone of the deceased. The lost SIM card was also recovered from the possession of the accused.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/accused-in-murder-of-mlas-cousin-held/